Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Purpose

Electrical and Computer Engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering which combines a fundamental study in electrical engineering with computing. Apart from receiving a thorough grounding in both electrical engineering and computing, the Electrical and Computer Engineering learner at the institution will gain a foundation of understanding in physical science, advanced engineering mathematics, microcomputer technology and systematic engineering design.

The Electrical and Computer engineer in industry may require expertise across a broad range of engineering disciplines, and will be especially well-suited to a career in networking, control & instrumentation, power systems and telecommunications. Electrical and Computer engineers may also become involved in fields such as bio-medical engineering, machine vision or signal & image processing. Established institutions of higher learning in South Africa that offer electrical engineering have to move towards computer engineering to remain current. The vast interest shown in this field means that capacity to produce the necessary skilled workforce is being stretched nationally. The qualification would enhance South Africa's capacity to produce suitably qualified engineering graduates to satisfy our industrial needs.

Rationale

If South Africa is to remain competitive its industry needs to be supplied with suitably qualified engineering graduates. The institution has offered engineering for decades and the Electrical and Computer Engineering qualification represents an adjustment to the engineering qualifications to ensure that the Institution keeps up to date with international developments in this field. Computers, networks, telecommunications, process control and a host of other industries make use of computers in a variety of forms from small in-built microcontrollers that are found in washing machines to large process control computers that control industrial installations. The Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate is positioned educationally to serve this national need. The qualification has grown out of the mainstream electrical engineering qualification. Currently one hundred eighty learners are enrolled for the qualification as approved by ECSA. This makes it a well-supported qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty has in place measures to evaluate the qualifications of diplomates or learners from other institutions for the purpose of granting credit towards its qualifications. The granting of credits in recognition of experiential learning acquired through the workplace is considered on an individual basis.

Electrical and Computer Engineering will build on aligned school level subjects, particularly adequate levels of Mathematics and Physics. These are especially important since they underpin the early qualification work in the qualification, and on which subsequent material needs to build. In addition to numeracy proficiency, other competencies required include language competence and communication skills, especially in English as this is the medium of instruction and also prepares the learners for absorbing and contributing to the technical literature in this engineering field. In addition the learner should be able to deal with the volume of academic and practical material that is expected to be absorbed in each year for the duration of the qualification.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Fundamental (144 Credits).

Core (374 Credits).

Elective (58 Credits).

Total (576 Credits).

Specific Outcomes including personal outcomes (contextually demonstrated)

Graduates of the BScECE will be competent to

• Undertake or propose electrical and computer engineering designs, procedures and/or processes that integrate first-principle solutions or code approaches with an understanding of the use of materials, all within the context of maximum economy and due regard for the environment.
• Assist in planning, managing, construction, operation and maintenance of electrical and computer engineering systems or processes with due regard for the health and safety of personnel, and within the constraints of a budget.
• Access, manipulate, process, provide and use spatially referenced data for the solution of electrical and computer engineering problems.
• Exercise leadership and managerial skills in the wider engineering and business environment, thus enhancing productivity and effectiveness.

• Demonstrate understanding of basic electrical and computer engineering sciences so as to exercise innovative and independent thinking that provides solutions.
• Understand the inter-relation of the various members of the engineering team, and of the impact of construction processes on the final product.
• Show existence of understanding the meaning and use of data.
• Identify the necessary qualifications of action to facilitate the electrical and computer engineering or managerial process and put them effectively in place.
• Produce a written project report (thesis) that appropriately describes an engineering, problem, the methodology to solve the problem, and the best solution to the problem.
• Demonstrate an understanding that the world is a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not occur in isolation, and provide solutions that are technically, economically, environmentally or managerially viable and benefit society in a way that improves the quality of life or industrial competitiveness.
• Produce output that demonstrates clearly own contribution and the benefits of interaction with others in solving complex problems.
• Understand the need to exercise ethics in the workplace and to have a reasonable appreciation of law.
• Access and assimilate information through various means such as reading, attending lectures, workshops and seminars and the electronic media.
• Collect, organise, analyse, critically, evaluate, rework and synthesise information.

Integrated Assessment

Learners are assessed for each qualification module through a range of methods, including formal examinations, group and individual assignments, class tests and projects. These are designed to enable them to demonstrate their critical understanding of the subject matter to which they have been exposed as well as their competence to deal with practice-based problems or issues arising out of that subject matter. In the final year the learner overall competence is evaluated through the fourth year thesis project.